Blackburn: Deal puts ‘price on the head of our troops’

FRANKLIN – Rep. Marsha Blackburn has sharpened her criticism of the Obama administration and its secret deal to release Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl in exchange for five Taliban detainees held by the U.S.

Speaking at a breakfast meeting of the Rotary Club of Franklin on Wednesday at Vanderbilt Legends Club, Blackburn, R-TN, said the prisoner exchange endangers U.S. soldiers and civilians and hurts the country’s reputation.

“Now you’ve accomplished two things: There’s a price on the head of our troops, of our foreign service officers, of American businessmen and women who are working around the globe, and our enemies think we’re open for business on prisoner swaps,” Blackburn said. “It is very concerning to us that this has taken place.”

Blackburn, who lives in Brentwood and represents the 7th District, which includes Williamson County, said there will be repercussions next week in Washington about the prisoner deal.

“When we go back to Washington on Monday, there will be some things done,” Blackburn said. “This has never, ever happened.”

The deal freed Bergdahl, who spent five years as a Taliban captive, in exchange for five Taliban detainees who had been kept at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. They were returned to the Persian Gulf state Qatar.

Since the release, Army officials have promised to investigate the details of why Bergdahl left his post and how he was captured by the Taliban.

Blackburn said she had heard from outraged servicemen and women about the deal.

“I cannot tell you the number of emails I have had from men and women at Fort Campbell,” Blackburn said. “And they are going ‘What are you thinking?’ That’s what they’re saying to the administration.”